West Virginia’s Mountaineer mascot is in trouble with the university after using the school-issued musket he totes around during games and appearances to shoot and kill a black bear.

A video of the mascot’s hunting exploits (warning: video is graphic) was placed online and seen by West Virginia officials, who asked him to stop using the weapon. Jonathan Kimble, the 24-year-old who plays West Virginia’s mascot, said hunting with the gun is a mascot tradition.

Kimble was forced to apologize:

“Hunting can be a controversial topic,” Kimble said. “I apologize to any of those who took offense to the video. It definitely wasn’t my intent to offend anybody.”

First of all, nobody in the state of West Virginia has ever thought of the musket as a prop. This is a state where guns outnumber people. For black powder rifles, the only difference between “blank” and “live” is ramming a lead ball & patch down the muzzle. Second, I’m normally not a fan of “I’m sorry you were offended” apologies, but in this case I’ll take it. The only way it would have been better is if Kimble had replied, ”Apologize? For what?”